Shadowland, R&F Handmade Paints among Ulster arts winners

Ulster County Executive Mike Hein, in conjunction with the Dutchess County Arts Council, announced Thursday the winners of his first Ulster County Executive's Arts Awards.

Timothy Malcolm

Ulster County Executive Mike Hein, in conjunction with the Dutchess County Arts Council, announced Thursday the winners of his first Ulster County Executive's Arts Awards.

The Shadowland Theatre in Ellenville has won Arts Organization Award. Now celebrating 29 years as an equity theater in the Catskills, Shadowland will reopen this year with significant renovations to seating and stage.

Shelly Hamilton of Boiceville has been named winner of the Arts in Education Award. An Onteora High School art teacher, Hamilton also runs the school's Art Club and is an accomplished visual artist.

R&F Handmade Paints of Kingston has won the Business Award. The facility on Ten Broeck Avenue is the definitive site for encaustic artists in the country. Not only does it sell encaustic supplies and an exhaustive variety of paints, but it hosts workshops and exhibits.

Two organizations - Maverick Concerts and the Falcon - are being awarded special citations. Maverick is approaching year 100 of summer chamber music concerts in its historic Woodstock facility, while the Falcon in Marlboro is much younger but already a major venue for jazz, blues, rock and world music.

A press conference for the winners is set for 4 p.m. May 21 at the Belltower in Rosendale. The awards banquet is set for June 11 at the Wiltwyck Golf Club in Kingston.

The Dutchess County Arts Council is the overseeing body aiding Ulster County in funding, workshops and other arts opportunities.